Camera IconBanfield found plenty of the ball for the Tigers this season.Picture: Trevor Collens

Bailey Banfield was overlooked in last year’s draft and responded by winning Claremont’s best and fairest in his first full season of league football.

That perseverance was rewarded at today’s rookie draft when Fremantle picked him up with their first selection, number five overall.

The ball-winning inside midfielder averaged 24 disposals, six tackles and six clearances for the Tigers this season, claiming the EB Cook Medal ahead of last year’s Sandover winner Jye Bolton.

The selection of Banfield adds another strong body to the Dockers’ midfield mix, which received a timely boost at last Friday’s national draft.

Fremantle used their second pick on South Australian Stefan Giro, an endurance specialist who finished behind only Andrew Brayshaw, the club’s first pick in the national draft, in the combine Yo-Yo testing.

The small midfielder also clocked a 2.93sec 20m sprint and averaged 24 disposals, nine contested, and a goal at the national under-18 championships.